Page 128 of The Vigilante's Lover

“Oh?” he asks. “Why is that?”

“If he’s disrespectful to Fly’s sister… Jovana, was it? I worry that Colt and Parker might do something, well, rash.” I nod as understanding dawns in Anatol’s eyes. “They don’t take kindly to such men.”

“Ah, I see. Maybe I could get Benny to speak with the man.”

“I was thinking you could just shuffle Fly and Jovana off to a private room. Leave the boyfriend out here. He could mingle while the boys meet Fly and his sister.”

Anatol laughs, a hearty rapid-fire chuckle. “You do not know this man. He does not mingle. And I do not know if this boyfriend would agree to let Jovana be with strange men.”

“Who cares what he thinks? You represent Lukov, and he wants to meet Colt and Parker, right?”

Anatol nods. “Yes, but—”

“And I bet Jovana, being a fan of fighters too, would want to meet them. That would make Fly happy, right?”

“Well, yes—”

“Then it’s settled!” I smile and grip his upper arm. “You said he was controlling. Don’t you want to tweak his nose a bit?”

Anatol opens his mouth, then closes it. He looks at me, and a dark smile slowly forms.

“You are right, Mr. De Luca. It is time thatidiotalearns he cannot dictate what she does.” He laughs again. “You go find your friends, and I will go find my boy.” He points to a small hall off to one side. “Down there is a private lounge, find us there.”

“And the boyfriend?”

“You don’t worry about him. Here, I am the boss.” He narrows his eyes then weaves through the crowd to the exit.

I maneuver through the throng back to Colt and Parker. Benny is nowhere in sight. Colt smiles at my approach.

“Mission accomplished?” he asks.

I nod. “Anatol has arranged a private meeting with the two of you, Lukov, and his sister.”

“What about her dude?” Colt says.

“Leave him to me. But don’t mention me to the sister.”

Parker looks like he’s about to ask why, but Colt gives a knowing nod. “You got it, Jax.”

We move to one side, where a mirrored back wall provides a view of the entrance. After a few minutes of nursing drinks and jostling against the crowd, I spot Anatol enter the room, drink in hand. Lukov is right on his heels. A few steps behind the slender fighter walks a dark-haired woman.

Jovana.

Waves of emotion slam together in my head. It takes all my willpower not to rush over and strangle her right then. I have to resist a personal revenge. She is but one piece of this puzzle now.

I almost miss Klaus through the haze of rage clouding my vision. He looks different. Haunted. In the mirror I watch his eyes scan the room, and I put Colt between us before he looks our way.

I nudge Colt. “Don’t turn around,” I say, “but they’re here. Let them get to the back room, then make your way over there.”

Colt’s eyes flick to the mirror. “How much time do you need?” he asks.

“I’ll find you.”

He nods.

In the mirror, I watch the group move through the crowd toward the back hall. Suddenly Anatol spins around and bumps into Klaus, spilling his drink down Klaus’s suit coat. Klaus jumps back and curses while Anatol grabs a napkin and fusses with Klaus’s coat, dabbing and wiping. Klaus pushes him away. I can see the disgust in his eyes as he looks around.

Like any good Vigilante, he suspects a trick. But Anatol’s drink was thick and fruity, and he made one glorious mess of Klaus’s suit. I watch Jovana intercede and speak with him, then she gestures back to the exit.